WELCOME!

This blog is dedicated to my friend, my mentor, and the best teacher I have ever had. Without him, I would not have embarked on this amazing journey. Split, this blog is for you!
Ponderosa Misty Icon, aka "Split," is a handsome gray Welsh pony who came to me via a phone call "out of the blue" (actually Peterborough, Ontario). Our first few months together were rocky to say the least, which made me question my ability as a horse owner, as a horsewoman, and as a rider. Forty years of horse ownership had not prepared me for this little gray pony!
But we muddled through and because of Split, I have begun a journey that is both spiritual and enlightening. I hope something here resonates with you and that you'll check back now and then.
We leave you with one of our favorite quotes: "The best whisper is a click!"

Sunday, January 15, 2012

When Things Get Squirrely............

.....share your nuts!!!!!
This little feller has been frequenting my bird feeder. He's awfully cute and I actually enjoy his antics on the front porch. My husband has offered to shoot him with his Red Ryder BB gun but I don't want anyone shooting their eye out. So for now, Squirrel and his nuts are safe at my house!

The idea is that there is a kind of memory in nature. Each kind of thing has a collective memory. So, take a squirrel living in New York now. That squirrel is being influenced by all past squirrels.
Rupert Sheldrake

Well, I don't know about that. If this squirrel were being influenced by the squirrels of MY past, he'd be scampering away screaming, "NO! NO! No squirrel pie!" LOL 

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Best Beagle In The Class!!!!!

Last night Jelly and I began our Advance Obedience class with Cathy Crawmer. The class is held at an indoor venue, The Pet Lodge, in Clifton Park. The room we were in was long and narrow and a bit cramped once all the dogs and handlers got there. I wasn't sure how Jelly would handle it all - at least 20 dogs/handlers, big fans whirring, the microphone speakers squealing, dogs barking, etc. but she did a great job and I was very proud of her!! At one point we were broken into 2 groups. Group 1 was told to have their dogs sit and they were to stand beside them and visit with the other handlers. Group 2 (our group) was told to put our dogs on sit/stay. Then Cathy opened a door and told us, "Now, leave your dogs. Good bye." My first thought was, "Yikes.....!!!" But I went meekly along with everyone else. I was worried that Jelly would come running after me. Cathy let us each peek thru the door one at a time to check on our dogs and, low and behold, there was Jelly, still sitting where she was told to stay, little beagle butt firmly attached to that cold, cement floor!! She was looking around at all the other dogs and handlers but she didn't move! It was a very proud moment for me! 
As you can see from the photo above, Jelly was quite proud of herself when we returned home. She's clearly saying, "Look at me! I'm the best beagle in the class!" (SSSHH!!! Don't tell her she's the ONLY beagle in the class!! LOL) Go, Jelly!!!

"Linus: You know what you and Snoopy should do? You should go to an obedience school!
Snoopy: Why should we go to an obedience school? He already does everything I want him to!"

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Donkey Cam

Jingle is the cutest donkey ever and I love to TRY to take her picture! But she's so curious that the second she sees the camera in my hand, she just has to get as close as possible to see what it's all about! If I back away, she follows me. I'm usually only successful if I stand outside the pasture or paddock fence so that she can't get to me but then, of course, there's always that pesky fencing in the photo! I tried to get some pictures yesterday but, true to her little donkey self, she just couldn't stay away from the camera:
 See? A nose and an ear. Maybe next time, I'll get the whole ass..........LOL!!!

"There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept." Ansel Adams
(Well, I guess we got that covered! LOL)